Brewer breaking through

By Kevin BrockwayStaff writer

Tuesday

Mar 30, 2010 at 12:01 AM

In his third pro season, with a healthy knee and more determination, former UF star Corey Brewer has surpassed expectations. He's also himself in the running for the NBA's Most Improved Player. (Photo from AP)

ORLANDO — The smile is back. So are the high-flying dunks. Florida fans remembered both during Corey Brewer's three-year career with the Gators that resulted in two national titles. But success in the NBA for Brewer didn't materialize as quickly as it did for frontcourt brethren Al Horford and Joakim Noah. First, Brewer struggled through a rookie season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in which he couldn't hit shots from the perimeter. Then, a season-ending torn ACL injury wiped out most of Brewer's second NBA season. In year three, with a healthy knee and more determination, Brewer has surpassed expectations. Starting all 74 games for the Timberwolves this season, Brewer has averaged 13.0 points and 3.6 rebounds, putting himself in the running for the NBA's Most Improved Player. "It's a confidence thing," Brewer said before last Friday night's game between the Timberwolves and the Orlando Magic. "My rookie year was tough because I was going from one extreme system to another extreme system. I didn't know where I could fit in." Brewer said he's flattered to be even considered for the award. "The rookie year I had was terrible and then to get hurt last year, people didn't even put me in that category," Brewer said. "It makes me really happy." Minnesota plans to put together a campaign on its team Web site this week promoting Brewer for the MIP honor. Brewer scored just 5.9 points per game through his first two NBA seasons. "If you look at his first year and his numbers and where he is now and his numbers and what he's done offensively and what he's done defensively, the improvement that he's had, it's as dramatic as anybody in the league," Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis said. "So he certainly should be given high consideration for that award. He's earned it. He's worked for it." The hard work began when Brewer rehabbed from the torn ACL. It included a summer trip to IMG Academy in Bradenton, in which Brewer, under the supervision of Minnesota trainers, worked on both his knee and his game. "It was a long year, just having to watch," Brewer said. "The summer was good. I started working out, started jumping a little more, then I worked out at IMG with (pro development director) David Thorpe which was good. So he helped get me back to where I need to be this year. " By the time the 2009-10 season started in November, Brewer said he was close to 100 percent. "I didn't think I was going be as athletic, because I was hurting a little bit, and I was constantly jumping on my leg," Brewer said. "Once the season started, I couldn't think about it. I had to put it out of my mind. And I started jumping better than I thought I could. "The pain is pretty much gone, I really don't have too much pain anymore. Just playing back-to-backs it's sore but otherwise I'm pretty good." The 6-foot-9 Brewer has flourished at shooting guard in the triangle offense that Rambis brought from the Los Angeles Lakers. In the process, Brewer has put together some YouTube highlight-reel dunks over Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher and Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez. "That's why I loved Florida because we pressed, I got to get out on the break, got a lot of dunks," Brewer said. "Now to be able to do it in the NBA, to actually get some highlights, it's good." Rambis said that Brewer has done better than expected in recovering from the season-ending injury. "It's always tough coming back from the type of surgery he had," Rambis said. "I've always felt it takes a player a full year if not more depending on the player and the surgery and the type of game they have to get really comfortable playing to get through the physical rehab of it and also the mental rehab of getting to the point where they trust their leg again. "And I think he's done that very well. He's attacked the season with a lot of aggression. He's attacked it with the desire to play and improve. He's a willing learner." The injury during the offseason also gave Brewer a chance to work on his perimeter shooting. Rambis said that coaches made a slight mechanical adjustment over the summer, trying to get Brewer to focus on staying balanced. "The key element that I noticed is he was off balance, he was always leaning back," Rambis said. After shooting 19.4 percent from 3-point range in his rookie season, Brewer is up to 34.6 percent from 3-point range this season. Brewer had a string of 33 straight games with at least one 3-pointer (a franchise record) snapped earlier this month when he went 0-for-3 against the Los Angeles Lakers. "I shot the ball really well in college, especially in the (SEC and NCAA) tournaments," Brewer said. "I can shoot it, I just have to get my stroke back and my confidence up." Despite his personal success, the Timberwolves have struggled through a 14-60 season. Brewer said he plans to return to his native Portland, Tenn., this offseason. Both his parents, Glenda and Ellis, are in good health and doing well. Other than missing "the Florida weather," Brewer said he's adapting well to Minnesota and never had self-doubt while going through his early struggles. "I never lost my confidence," Brewer said. "It was a matter of time getting out there, being able to do it, getting more time on the court, getting in the right position."

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